The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Texas offensive line named semifinalist for 2016 Joe Moore Award
11.22.2016 | Football
The Longhorns’ offensive line unit has led the charge for the nation’s leading rusher this season.
The Texas Longhorns' offensive line has been named a semifinalist for the 2016 Joe Moore Award. The award annually recognizes the nation's Most Outstanding Offensive Line Unit, based off the following criteria: toughness, effort, teamwork, consistency, technique and finishing.
The Longhorns' offensive line has paved the way to one of the most successful offensive turnarounds in the nation this season. Despite fighting through several injuries during the season and not employing the same starting lineup in back-to-back games once this season, Texas is averaging 498.9 yards per game. Nine different Longhorns have started a game along the offensive line this season.
The offensive line has gained notoriety in blocking for D'Onta Foreman, the nation's leading rusher. Despite Foreman missing a game earlier in the season, he has rushed for 1,863 yards and 15 touchdowns. Foreman has 100 yards in all 10 games this season (most in the nation) and has rushed for more than 250 yards in three of his last four games.
After averaging just 26.7 points per game and 376.5 yards per game last season, UT has improved to 34.0 points per game and 498.9 yards per game this season. The Longhorns have eclipsed 500 yards of total offense seven times, setting a new school record.
The offensive line unit has provided ample time to true freshman QB Shane Buechele this season, as he has passed for a UT freshman-record 2,740 yards. Buechele is the first Longhorns' QB since Colt McCoy in 2009 to pass for at least 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns. Eight receivers have at least 17 receptions, while six have at least 24. Eight receivers have 200 yards while seven have more than 260. Six Longhorns are tied for the team lead with three touchdown grabs.
The Joe Moore Award is college football's only award to honor a group or unit, and fittingly does so for the consummate team position within the consummate team sport.
